I Call Him Friend
January 13th, 2009
I’ve had this card on my mind since Patter Cross sent me this beautiful image that she designed, Almighty God from Unity. I also needed to use my nested birds. I was glad that the color challenge worked for the concept that was rolling around in my head.
As I’m typing this post, I had a phone visit with a good friend who was suddenly widowed far to young five years ago. Death is never easy, and by nature of our relationship being a small couples group that met twice a month for dinner and a Bible Study, this was especially difficult for both my husband and I. There were so many issues, feelings, hurts to be prayed over relating to the loss, and because we are in our thirties, I began praying almost immediately for God to prepare a strong man who would one day marry my friend and take her precious children as his own, all five of them. It would be in His time, I was sure of that. But I wanted God to be preparing the heart of this man then. In that time we had to rely on the names of Jesus: Master, Comforter, Saviour, Redeemer, All Mighty, All Knowing.
The phone call this morning was to share the news that God has answered my prayer. I kind of chuckle when I say ‘my’ because I know that it has been the prayer of many. I don’t want to in anyway claim it as ‘mine’. It was a wonderful phone call, full of joy and I’m so very excited for her. Wes and I both are. However, if I’m honest, I felt some sadness. I shed a tear. I was swept back to that awful day, that dark time and it hit me as I stared at this card - the same same Saviour that has watched over her and her life, the same Saviour that brought her through a dark storm is the same Saviour that will carry her on with grace and beauty. He does that for those who know Him, those who love Him and those who call Him, Friend.
The bird is from Spellbinders - their nested birds - I get my Spellbinders products from Ms. Ellen. I cut the bird body from the middle die and then 2 ‘wings’ from the smallest die. (I learned that trick from Ms. Sharon.) If you look really carefully at the top wing die-cut, you might see where I clipped his beak and rounded it out to form the wing shape. Of course, you don’t have to clip the back wing because the beak doesn’t show. I used the Scalloped Squares and the Nested Squares to create a ‘frame’. I love how that turned out. The ‘I call Him Friend’ was generated on the computer.
I’m 2 for 2 on the Splitcoast Challenges this week? Will you find some time to play this week?
- Stamps: Almight God - Unity Stamp Company
- Cardstock: Kraft and Baja Breeze (Stampin’ Up!) & Mystic Medium (Prism) Crygen White (Arjo Wiggins)
- Ink: Ocean Depth - VersaMagic Chalk (Tsukineko)
- Accs: Nested Birds, Scalloped Squares and Nested Squares Nestabilities (Spellbinders), Copic Airbrush & B00 Copic Marker, lace border punch (Martha Stewart), ZipDry Adhesive (Beacon), embroidery floss (DMC), velvet ribbon (May Arts),pearls (KaiserCraft) and white gel pen (Ranger)
January 13th, 2009 at 11:07 am
I’m so happy for your friend and how the faith of all of you has been challenged and strengthened through this whole situation. She is blessed to have a group of friends like you!
January 13th, 2009 at 11:21 am
I love this so much that I showed your card to the others over at the Gingerwood board. We have been discussing these bird die cuts recently and yours is such a wonderful example of what can be done!
January 13th, 2009 at 1:19 pm
So glad to read this news! It is hard to believe that it was 5 years ago. Beautiful card. Love the image of the dove. Immediately brings to mind the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
January 13th, 2009 at 3:13 pm
ok, now I’m crying. Such a rich and beautiful story Lori.
I’ve been feeling like God is directing me to study his names as described in the Word…and so your card really caught my eye too Lori. Beautiful creation.
January 13th, 2009 at 4:32 pm
What a touching story Lori and what a gorgeous creation!
January 13th, 2009 at 5:04 pm
Lovely Lori!
January 13th, 2009 at 10:04 pm
I love your card & you inspire me everytime I read your blog! What a wonderful friend we have in HIM! I am so thakful to call him friend!!
January 13th, 2009 at 10:38 pm
Oh Lori, your creation is just beautiful! It is filled with your love for the Lord! You have such a beautiful heart and are such a gift to your friends!
(now I’m gonna grumble because I didn’t order the nested birds!)
January 13th, 2009 at 11:01 pm
Lori, Thanks for sharing such a touching story. I just got home from my bible study and we’re studying the Book of James so it goes right along side this experience and the trials we face but knowing that we need to trust in the Lord. She is blessed to have you as her friend.
January 14th, 2009 at 12:03 am
Your card is so beautiful Lori and what a wonderful post!
January 14th, 2009 at 12:10 am
I’m shedding tears of joy with you! I’m so happy for your friend. We serve a wonderful Lord. Thanks for sharing this beautiful and touching story and this beautiful card!
Janet
January 14th, 2009 at 9:08 am
What a wonderful friend you are to this sweet lady….but more importantly, what a wonderful friend God is to us…. Thank you for sharing this testimony of trust and faith.
January 14th, 2009 at 12:39 pm
God is always faithful and I love to see what wonderful surprises He has in store for us.
January 14th, 2009 at 2:57 pm
What a heartwarming story Lori and a beautiful card! Thank you so much for sharing today! Blessings~ Patti
January 14th, 2009 at 9:51 pm
Awesome…God is good.
I was wondering what kind of glue you used to put your pearls on with.
Beautiful card.
January 14th, 2009 at 9:54 pm
This is a perfect card for your friend! I smiled when I read your story, thank you for sharing.
January 14th, 2009 at 11:06 pm
What a beautiful story. I’m lovin’ that stamp - I thought it was DP at first! Truly a beautiful card in both looks and meaning!!
hugs, Jami
January 16th, 2009 at 9:03 am
Oh my goodness, I stopped by to look for something on your blog and found this GORGEOUS post and card! Wow! I love the card, I love what you did with the stamp, but most of all I love the story! God is SO good! And what a precious and special friend she has in both you and your husband! May the Lord bless this new family in ways we can’t even imagine! Hugs and prayers to them!
January 16th, 2009 at 8:10 pm
God is so good!
January 17th, 2009 at 10:32 am
what a beautiful card and a precious story to accompany it! your dove looks so pretty!
thank you for sharing both your wonderful creation and the heart behind it!
January 17th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
What a great post. GOD is good. Sometimes we just don’t understand why. My faith has grown so much over the past year and a half. Our son, who is 4, was diagnosed with cancer last July in 07 and it relapsed in August of this year. We BELIEVE with all our hearts that He will be just fine, and we put our trust in GOD that HE will get us through all of this. We are actually joining a new church and are learning so much through the class that we are taking. It’s so encouraging to hear these wonderful stories and know that GOD is listening to our prayers.
January 17th, 2009 at 6:39 pm
Your card is so beautiful, and so is your story!! Thank you for sharing both, Lori!!
January 19th, 2009 at 8:14 am
Lori -
This is a beautiful card to go along with your beautiful story!! God is Great!
January 21st, 2009 at 6:56 am
Awesome card and post, Lori - TFS and congrats to your friend! In His love, - SueB
January 21st, 2009 at 9:18 am
Lori,
I’m so happy that I took time to read this post and be reminded of the beauty and majesty of our Lord in all his works and all his deeds. Thank you for my daily dose!
Amy
February 19th, 2009 at 2:55 am
Lori-this couldn’t have been done any better!!
How wonderful to read another one of God’s love stories!!
Sincerely,
Sonja
March 28th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
This card is beautiful and meaningful. I love the way you used the stamp for the background, I’ll be sharing that idea in the future! Thanks!